The bill amends Chapter 118E of the General Laws by establishing a framework for these supplemental payments to dental providers, which will be effective if the provider serves at least ten more MassHealth beneficiaries compared to the previous year. The bill sets an initial supplemental payment rate of $31 for each qualifying patient encounter. The criteria for providers include being licensed in Massachusetts and actively enrolled in the MassHealth program, thereby ensuring that payments are made only to qualified professionals dedicated to providing dental care.
Summary
House Bill 1401 is designed to increase access to dental providers through the MassHealth program in Massachusetts. The bill proposes the introduction of supplemental payments for eligible dental providers who deliver services to a specific number of MassHealth beneficiaries aged 21 and older. This initiative aims to incentivize providers to serve more patients and enhance the overall access to dental care services under the MassHealth program.
Contention
One potential area of contention could arise regarding which municipalities are designated as eligible for these supplemental payments. The secretary of health and human services is tasked with identifying ten municipalities that have a high number of MassHealth enrollees but low rates of dental service utilization. This could lead to debates about which areas should receive funding and how the metrics for eligibility should be assessed. Some stakeholders may argue for broader inclusion or additional support for other underserved areas.